Category: Homilies & Reflections
-
Forgive our sin, heal our land
Read More: Forgive our sin, heal our land2 Chronicles 7:12-16: … if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. We hear this verse quoted all the time … and especially since Covid started: “……
-
Bread from heaven
Read More: Bread from heavenProper 15, 15 August 2021 John 6:53-58 Today we’re continuing to tackle John chapter 6, in which Jesus said He is the Bread of Life.[1] We’ll reach the other side Surfing is about navigating the world’s challenging waves – some people are afraid of waves, but surfers travel to find them. Surfing is standing on…
-
The Bread of eternal life
Read More: The Bread of eternal lifeProper 14, 8 August 2021 John 6:41-51 When I first came to Europe, I was curious about the many kinds of bread that are available; in France, there are specific ingredients and quantities for baguettes and croissants to be considered authentic. Sometimes there are competitions; if Jesus had entered a baking competition, would He have…
-
The necessity of God’s grace
Read More: The necessity of God’s graceProper 13, 1 August 2021 Today’s Gospel is very important, and in some ways might be considered scandalous. Some of Jesus’ words were very difficult to understand, to the point that some of His disciples didn’t follow Him afterwards. Today we’re reminded of the Eucharist. The disciples were sad when Jesus said He would leave;…
-
God is the God of justice
Read More: God is the God of justiceSaint James, 25 July 2021 Even when you don’t feel or understand it, God is constantly protecting you. Perhaps you were rushing to the subway and realised you’d forgotten your ticket, so you went back for it and were late for work – and you were upset. What if an angel hid the ticket because…
-
Depart from us, Jesus!
Read More: Depart from us, Jesus!A portion of yesterday’s Gospel reading from the daily lectionary, Mark 5:13-17: Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it…
-
Good Shepherd Sunday
Read More: Good Shepherd SundayProper 11, 18 July 2021 Today’s readings remind us of our relationship with God and the way He treats us. Psalm 23 was written by King David, who knew what it was to be a shepherd himself. God says He’s our Shepherd and we’re to be His flock. The Bible is full of images such…
-
To whom much is given, from him much will be required
Read More: To whom much is given, from him much will be requiredToday’s New Testament reading from the daily lectionary, Acts 12:1-17: Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now…
-
Divine apprenticeship
Read More: Divine apprenticeshipProper 10 11 July 2021 Many of us have grown through times of difficulty and crisis. When we’re in the valley, God shows how great and mighty He is. God is not only in the mountains – He’s with us in the valley, where He prepares us for what is to come. He has enabled…
-
Foundation Day
Read More: Foundation Dayby Patriarch Craig Bates 27 June 2021 Foundation Day began early in the life of the CEC. To celebrate the Patriarch and our founding, it was decided, on the Sunday closest to the consecration of our first bishop, to would take a thanksgiving offering for our Communion and for him. Abp. Adler, a man of…
Search
Popular Posts
-
A Message from your Patriarch
My Dear Brothers in Christ, This is my first opportunity to write to all of you as the new Patriarch. I have no words to express how honored I feel that God has put me in this position to serve all of you and the ICCEC. My hope is that in the months to come,…
-
Stewardship of your mc2
Welcome to The Word of God Speaks, a ministry of the ICCEC Diocese of Europe under Bishop Elmer Belmonte. We come together in these times to hear what God is saying to His people. You may have noticed the title for today’s message is somewhat unusual: Stewardship of your mc2. It all looks quite…
-
THE ADVENT CANDLES?HOPE-PEACE-JOY-LOVE
HOPE-PEACE-JOY-LOVE By: Professor Ruel Pepa The joyful season of celebrations commemorating God’s act of salvation by sending His very own Son to this sinful world is fast approaching. Christmas carols are dominating the airwaves again and the traditional practice of decking our halls with Christmas ornaments have already begun. We have never been amiss of…